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Curvature-induced secondary flow in submarine channels

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Abstract

The curvature-driven secondary flow in sinuous submarine channels has been a subject of considerable interest and controversy. Here, results from numerical model studies involving saline flow in laboratory-scale channels are presented. A 3D finite volume model of density and turbidity currents is used and simulations are run with different inflow discharges and channel-axis slopes. The simulation results show strong influence of bend wave length, channel gradient, confinement and cross sectional shape on the structure of secondary flow in submarine channels. Major findings are: (i) reversal of secondary flow in submarine channels is strongly associated with a tight bend characterized by a smaller wave length to width ratio or larger wave number, (ii) for the same inflow condition and planform characteristics, a trapezoidal channel cross section is more favorable to secondary flow reversal than a rectangular cross section, (iii) lateral convection resulting from the interaction between in-channel and overbank flows leads to the reversal of secondary flow in an unconfined channel at a lower channel slope than in a confined channel with the same dimensions, (iv) flow discharge has only nominal effect on the secondary flow in submarine channels.

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Acknowledgments

Funding supports from the National Science Foundation Marine Geology Program (Grant number 1061244) and Shell International Exploration and Production Company to J. Imran are gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Research Center, Dokki, Cairo,  12311, Egypt

    Hesham Ezz

  2. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA

    Jasim Imran

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  1. Hesham Ezz
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Correspondence to Jasim Imran.

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Ezz, H., Imran, J. Curvature-induced secondary flow in submarine channels. Environ Fluid Mech 14, 343–370 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10652-014-9345-4

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